Orlando City Soccer Club

Last Sunday, the Orlando City Soccer Club played their first home open against the New York City Football Club. The 60,000+ fans who attended the game watched these two teams battle for the win, yet neither was victorious thanks to a goal scored late in the game by Orlando City’s Ricardo Kaka, making the final score 1-1.

Orlando fans are also getting excited about their team’s new stadium, located in downtown Orlando- two blocks from the Amway Center and the downtown bar district. As fans approach the stadium, they can see in through the open plaza down to the field, which is 10 feet below ground level. Before the start of the game, a giant lion sculpture located at the stadium’s entrance will turn 180° to “watch” the game with fans.

The stadium, which broke ground earlier this year, is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 season. According to Orlando City’s website, “the stadium has been designed with the intention of creating the loudest and most intimidating atmosphere in Major League Soccer, with North American’s only safe-standing supporter section and a low slanted roof line to amplify crowd noise.” The roof line also provides fans with shelter from rain and sunshine.

Additionally, the new stadium will feature a 360 lower bowl, all natural grass playing surface, single deck safe-standing supporter section and a 360’ scoreboard balcony bar (for a full list of the stadium’s design features, click here). Underground structures were also included in the design to allow for future expansion.